Syringe with rotatable element, aspiration systems including the syringe, and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A syringe includes a barrel and a rotatable element on the barrel; for example at a proximal location along the length of the barrel. The rotatable element rotates at least partially around the barrel. When a handle is associated with the rotatable element, the barrel may rotate as the handle is held substantially stationary or the handle may be rotated while the barrel and any peripheral device secured thereto remain substantially stationary. When handles are associated with a rotatable element that may be removed from a barrel, a barrel that is disassembled from the rotatable element may be replaced with another barrel of the same or a different configuration. The barrel and plunger may be configured to cause the barrel to rotate as the plunger moves along the length of the barrel. Methods of using a syringe with a rotatable element on a barrel thereof are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/766,791, filed on Apr. 23, 2010, and titled SYRINGE WITH ROTATABLE ELEMENT, ASPIRATION SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SYRINGE, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS (hereinafter “the '791 Application”). The '791 Application was a continuation-in-part of PCT International Patent Application PCT/US2008/061345, filed on Apr. 23, 2008, and titled SYRINGE WITH ROTATABLE ELEMENT, ASPIRATION SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SYRINGE, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS (hereinafter “the '345 International Application”). The '791 Application was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/877,564, filed on Oct. 23, 2007, and titled SYRINGE WITH ROTATABLE ELEMENT, INFUSION/ASPIRATION SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SYRINGE, AND ASSOCIATED METHODS (hereinafter “the '564 Application”). The '564 Application claimed the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/853,817, filed on Oct. 24, 2006, titled LOCKABLE, ADJUSTABLE HINGE MECHANISMS FOR SYRINGES (hereinafter “the '817 Provisional Application”). The entire disclosures of the '791 Application, the '345 International Application, the '564 Application and the '817 Provisional Application are hereby incorporated in their entireties, by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to syringes and, more specifically, to syringes with circumferentially rotatable elements on the barrels thereof. The present invention also relates to systems that include aspiration syringes with rotatable elements, as well as to methods for using the syringes of such systems.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present invention includes syringes with rotatable elements, or “slip rings.” An embodiment of such a syringe includes a syringe barrel with a ring or other rotatable element concentrically disposed about a section of the barrel. As an example, the rotatable element may be disposed at or near a proximal end of the barrel (i.e., the end into which a plunger is introduced). The rotatable element is configured to rotate relative to the barrel. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the rotatable element is captured within a groove that extends around a section of the barrel (e.g., circumferentially, etc.). In other embodiments, one or more features that protrude (e.g., a thread, a lip, a series of aligned protrusions, etc.) from the barrel of the syringe (e.g., in a circumferential arrangement, etc.) engage a groove formed in an inner surface of the rotatable element.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a syringe barrel with a slip ring may be used as part of a more complex syringe, such as an aspiration syringe (e.g., a syringe with handles that are leveraged or otherwise provide a mechanical advantage). In such a syringe, the rotatable element may be secured to a handle, which is typically held during use of the syringe, while the barrel of the syringe is free to rotate relative to the orientation in which the handle is held.

In a further aspect, an aspiration system of the present invention may include a syringe with a rotatable element, aspiration handles, and an aspiration element, such as a catheter, needle, or the like, secured to a distal end of the barrel. In use, the barrel may rotate relative to a handle that has been secured thereto (e.g., in coupling the barrel to a peripheral device, such as a catheter or needle), or the handle may rotate relative to the barrel (e.g., in use of the syringe while the barrel is coupled to a peripheral device). Such a feature eliminates the need for costly rotatable connections between the syringe barrel and the aspiration element.

While some embodiments of such a syringe include conventionally configured barrels and plungers, other embodiments of a syringe according to the present invention include barrels that are configured to rotate as their corresponding plungers are drawn through the barrels. Embodiments that include such rotating syringes may be used in a variety of procedures, including, but not limited to, biopsy or coring techniques, to rotate catheters to dislodge obstructions and/or mix fluids prior to or during sample aspiration, and the like.

In each of the foregoing embodiments, the barrel of the syringe and, optionally, an aspiration element that has been coupled to the barrel may rotate freely relative to gripping elements or handles, which may protrude from or be secured to the rotatable element. Thus, the barrel may remain stationary or substantially stationary as the gripping elements or handles are moved rotationally relative to an axis of the barrel, or the gripping elements or handles may remain stationary or substantially stationary as the barrel is rotated.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which depict features of various aspects of the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a syringe according to the present invention, which includes a rotatable element around a portion of a syringe barrel;

FIG. 2 is a side assembly view of the embodiment of the syringe shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective assembly view of the embodiment of the syringe shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side assembly view of another embodiment of a syringe that incorporates teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective assembly view of an embodiment of a syringe with a circumferentially protruding guide for retaining a rotatable element;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a syringe barrel with control syringe finger rings on a rotatable element;

FIG. 7 is a top view of an embodiment of a syringe barrel with hinge elements protruding from a rotatable element;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a syringe with a member of pliers-grip handles coupled to the hinge elements shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a system including a variety of different barrel configurations and a rotatable element that are configured for use with various embodiments of handles;

FIG. 10 is a perspective representation of an embodiment of a syringe of the present invention in which a barrel of the syringe rotates as a plunger of the syringe moves along a length of the barrel; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a system including a syringe with a rotatable element around a syringe barrel and an aspiration element secured to a distal end of the syringe barrel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, an embodiment of syringe 10 with a barrel 20 and a rotatable element 40 that spins about a circumference of barrel 20 is depicted. Barrel 20 includes an outer wall 22 that defines a receptacle 24 that extends axially through barrel 20.

A main body 30 of barrel 20, including a central portion of barrel 20, has a substantially uniform outer diameter OD30. At its distal tip 26, outer wall 22 tapers to a much smaller outer diameter, which may form a standard coupling element 28, which may be coupled to an aspiration needle (e.g., a hypodermic needle, biopsy needle, etc.), a catheter, or the like. A proximal end 32 of barrel 20 may also have a substantially uniform outer diameter OD32 but, as shown, its outer diameter OD32 may be smaller than outer diameter OD30 of main body 30, such that a proximal ridge 34 is defined at a boundary between main body 30 and proximal end 32.

In the illustrated embodiment, proximal end 32 includes a distally located axle 36, which may have a substantially smooth surface, and a proximally located retention feature 38. As shown, retention feature 38 may comprise threads or other, similar engagement features that are configured to receive, engage, and retain a separate locking element 50, an example of which is provided in further detail below.

Rotatable element 40, which may be annular in shape (i.e., ring-shaped), has a substantially constant inner diameter ID40 that is slightly larger than the outer diameter OD32 of proximal end 32 of barrel 20 but smaller than the outer diameter OD30 of main body 30 of barrel 20, allowing rotatable element 40 to be concentrically placed on proximal end 32. More specifically, rotatable element 40 may be placed over axle 36, adjacent to ridge 34. An inner surface 42 of rotatable element 40 may be substantially smooth. Smoothness of one or both of inner surface 42 and axle 36 may facilitate the free rotation of rotatable element 40 at least partially around axle 36.

As noted, syringe 10 may also include a locking element 50. Locking element 50 may have an inner surface 52 with an engagement feature 54 (e.g., the illustrated threads, etc.) that cooperates with a complementary engagement feature of retention feature 38 at proximal end 32 of barrel 20. When locking element 50 is disposed on retention feature 38, an outer surface of axle 36 is circumferentially recessed relative to outer surfaces of main body 30 of barrel 20 and locking element 50; i.e., a circumferential groove 56 (see FIG. 7) is formed between main body 30 and locking element 50. The dimensions (e.g., a depth) of the resulting groove 56 axially retain rotatable element 40 over axle 36.

As an alternative to embodiments that include locking elements 50 that are configured for assembly with a retention feature 38 of a barrel 20 of a syringe 10, another embodiment of barrel 20′ may include a retention feature 38′, as shown in FIG. 4, which may facilitate the assembly of a rotatable element 40 with barrel 20′, but prevent its removal from barrel 20′. For example, retention feature 38′ may include one or more tabs 39′ configured and oriented to facilitate the placement of rotatable element 40 over axle 36, but prevent rotatable element 40 from being removed from axle 36′. In a more specific embodiment, tabs 39′ may be oriented and configured to protrude somewhat from an outer surface of the remainder of retention feature 38′. When rotatable element 40 is positioned on retention feature 38′ and slid distally toward axle 36′, tabs 39′ may be pressed radially inward, allowing rotatable element 40 to slide thereover and onto axle 36′. Once rotatable element 40 has been positioned properly upon axle 36′, tabs 39′ resiliently rebound to their relaxed state, in which they protrude radially from the surface of the remainder of retention feature 38′ and retain rotatable element 40 in place on axle 36′.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of barrel 120, which includes one or more protrusions 136 (e.g., a single fillet or ridge, a plurality of aligned protrusions, etc.) that extend circumferentially about a portion of barrel 120. A rotatable element 140 that is configured for assembly with barrel 120 may have a somewhat annular shape and include a groove 142 for receiving protrusion(s) 136. Groove 142 and protrusion(s) 136 are configured to enable rotatable element 140 to rotate at least partially around barrel 120. Protrusion(s) 136 may be configured to facilitate the assembly of rotatable element 140 with barrel 120 while preventing the disassembly of rotatable element 140 from barrel 120. Alternatively, rotatable element 140 may be configured (e.g., with appropriate positioned slots, a hinge and locking element, etc.) to facilitate its placement over and retention by protrusion(s) 136.

Turning now to FIG. 6, an embodiment of a control syringe 60 according to the present invention includes a barrel 20, 20′ and a rotatable element 40″ with gripping elements 64, such as finger loops or other elements that are configured to be held by a user's fingers that protrude therefrom to form a handle 62. Barrel 20, 20′ is particularly useful with a plunger 66 that includes a thumb loop 68 at its proximal end 69.

Another variation of rotatable element 40′″ is shown in FIG. 7. Rotatable element 40′″ includes means for coupling to a handle, such as the depicted hinge elements 70. As depicted, hinge elements 70 may protrude from opposite sides of rotatable element 40′″. The axis of rotation of hinge elements 70 may intersect a central axis through rotatable element 40′″. With such an arrangement, when rotatable element 40′″ is in place over an axle 36 (FIGS. 1 through 4) of a syringe barrel 20, 20′, the central axis through rotatable element 40′″ will substantially align with a central axis through the length of barrel 20, 20′. Thus, in such an arrangement, the axis of rotation of hinge elements 70 will also intersect the central axis through barrel 20, 20′.

Hinge elements 70 of the variation of rotatable element 40′″ shown in FIG. 7 may facilitate pivotal assembly of rotatable element 40′″ with a member 82 of syringe actuation handle 80, such as that shown in FIG. 8. Member 82 of syringe actuation handle 80 is pivotally associated with another member 84 of syringe actuation handle 80, with member 84 being coupled to a syringe plunger 86. Nonlimiting examples of such syringe actuation handles are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,534,234, issued May 19, 2009, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,674,247, issued Mar. 9, 2010.

As noted previously, in some embodiments, rotatable element 40″, 40′″ may be disassembled from a barrel 20 (or any other embodiment of barrel, such as barrel 20′ or barrel 120) (see, e.g., the embodiment of rotatable element 40 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3). In such embodiments, once a barrel 20 has been used, it may be removed from rotatable element 40″, 40′″, disposed of, and replaced with a different barrel 20 a. Thus, the handles (e.g., handle 62 (FIG. 6) or handle 80 (FIG. 8)) that are associated with such a rotatable element 40″, 40′″ may be reused, which may reduce the expenses that have conventionally been incurred when many types of syringes, including, but not limited to, control and leveraged syringes, are used.

By enabling barrel replacement, the use of a rotatable element of the present invention (e.g., rotatable element 40″, 40′″, etc.) in conjunction with reusable handles (e.g., handles 62, 80, etc.) provide a modular system that may be used with syringe barrels 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D (which may, e.g., be configured as barrel 20, 20′, 120 etc.) of a variety of different configurations, as shown in FIG. 9. By way of example only, barrels of a plurality of different volumes, of a plurality of different dimensions, that include a plurality of different optional features (e.g., no optional features, release valves, ports configured for connection to pressure gauges and other apparatus, inlet ports, etc.), or the like may be used with one reusable handle. Of course, differently configured syringe barrels that are configured for use with the same rotatable element may have commonly dimensioned features for engagement by the rotatable element, or may be used in combination with adapters that facilitate their use with the same rotatable element.

As shown in FIG. 10, a rotatable element 40″ that incorporates teachings of the present invention is particularly useful with embodiments of barrels 20″ that are configured to rotate as their corresponding plungers 86″ are drawn therefrom. Such barrels 20″ and their corresponding plungers 86″ may include cooperating rotation elements that cause barrel 20″ to rotate as plunger 86″ is moved axially along (i.e., force into or withdrawn from) a receptacle 24″of barrel 20″.

In a specific embodiment, an interior surface 23″ of such a barrel 20″ carries one or more threads 27″ (two threads 27″ are shown in the illustrated embodiment). Threads 27″ are elongate, curved elements that are at least partially helically oriented and configured to engage or to be engaged by cooperating features of plunger 86″ and to cause rotational movement of barrel 20″ relative to plunger 86″. In a more specific embodiment, threads 27″ protrude from interior surface 23″ into receptacle 24″.

An embodiment of plunger 86″ that corresponds to barrel 20″ may include an engagement feature 87″, such as the depicted notch, that receives and cooperates with a corresponding thread 27″. In a more specific embodiment, each engagement feature 87″ is formed in an alignment element 88″ of plunger 86″. Even more specifically, each engagement feature 87″ may be formed in an edge 89″ of alignment element 88″ (illustrated as an alignment disk) of plunger 86″. As shown, alignment element 88″ may be located at a proximal end of plunger 86″ (i.e., the end that will be located closest to an individual operating a syringe that includes barrel 20″ and plunger 86″). Edge 89″ of alignment element 88″ abuts against interior surface 23″ of barrel 20″ to align plunger 86″ with receptacle 24″ of barrel 20″ as plunger 86″ is forced through receptacle 24″, along the length of barrel 20″. As plunger 86″ is inserted into receptacle 24″ of barrel 20″ and is driven axially along the length of barrel 20″, each engagement element 87″ continues to engage its corresponding thread 27″. Due to the helical orientation of threads 27″, movement of plunger 86″ along the length of barrel 20″ causes barrel 20″ to rotate relative to plunger 86″ as plunger 86″ is forced through (i.e., into or out of) receptacle 24″. In the depicted embodiment, movement of plunger 86″ out of receptacle 24″ (i.e., proximally, toward an individual using a syringe including barrel 20″ and plunger 86″) is effected as members 82 and 84 of handle 80 are forced together.

Embodiments of syringes with rotatable elements and barrels 20″ that rotate relative to their plungers 86″ may be used in a variety of procedures, including, but not limited to, processes in which samples (e.g., biological samples, samples from the body of a subject, etc.) are obtained.

In a biopsy embodiment, a biopsy needle may be rigidly secured to barrel 20″. Movement of plunger 86″ along the length of barrel 20″ may cause barrel 20″ and the biopsy needle to rotate about axes extending along their lengths, enabling use of the biopsy needle in a coring and aspiration technique to manually obtain a sample. A hand held syringe incorporating teachings of the present invention may be advanced and operated manually, even with a single hand, which may free the operator's other hand for a variety of purposes, including, without limitation, stabilization of a patient, control of an imaging device, such as an ultrasound apparatus, or the like.

In embodiments where a catheter is rigidly coupled to a barrel 20″ that rotates as its corresponding plunger 86″ is driven along its length, actuation of plunger 86″ may rotate the catheter about an axis extending along its length, which may be useful in breaking up or dislodging obstructions, removing blood clots or thrombi, or in mixing fluids prior to or during their aspiration.

Referring now to FIG. 11, in use, a rotatable element that incorporates teachings of the present invention (e.g., rotatable element 40, 40′, 40″, etc.) allows for some movement of syringe handles (e.g., handle 62, handle 80, etc.) while the barrel (e.g., barrel 20, 20′, etc.) and a distally located peripheral device 90, such as a catheter or needle, remains substantially stationary. Thus, a syringe according to the present invention eliminates the need for relatively complex and expensive rotatable fittings, or coupling elements, such as slip ring leur locks.

In addition to being able to rotate about a barrel (e.g., barrel 20 or 20′), such as during rotational movement of a handle or handles (e.g., handle 62, handles 80, etc.) relative to the barrel, a rotatable element (e.g., rotatable element 40, 40″, 40′″, etc.) that embodies teachings of the present invention enables the barrel to rotate as the rotatable element and any handles associated with the rotatable element are held (e.g., by a handle 62, 80, etc.) in a stationary or somewhat stationary (accounting for normal movement by a healthcare provider operating the handle) position. This feature may be useful for coupling a syringe of the present invention to a distally located peripheral device that is already in place in a subject's body.

Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. Similarly, other embodiments of the invention may be devised which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description. All additions, deletions and modifications to the invention as disclosed herein which fall within the meaning and scope of the claims are to be embraced thereby. 

What is claimed:
 1. A syringe, comprising: a barrel; a plunger insertable into the barrel; a rotatable element disposed about the barrel and configured to rotate at least partially about a circumference of the barrel during use of the syringe; and a handle coupled to the rotatable element.
 2. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the barrel includes a groove that engages at least a portion of the rotatable element.
 3. The syringe of claim 2, wherein the groove comprises an area of smaller outer dimension than a main body of the barrel and is located between the main body and a retention element.
 4. The syringe of claim 3, wherein the retention element is configured to enable removal of the rotatable element from the barrel.
 5. The syringe of claim 3, wherein the retention element is configured to engage a locking element.
 6. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises gripping elements.
 7. The syringe of claim 6, wherein the gripping elements comprise apertures for receiving fingers.
 8. The syringe of claim 7, further comprising: a thumb receptacle at a proximal end of the plunger.
 9. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises aspiration handles, including: a first handle member coupled to the rotatable element; and a second handle member coupled to the plunger to enable the plunger to move longitudinally through the barrel as first handle member and the second handle member are forced together or forced apart from one another.
 10. The syringe of claim 9, wherein: the first handle member is pivotally associated with the rotatable element; and the first handle member and the second handle member are pivotally connected to one another at intermediate locations.
 11. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the barrel and the plunger include cooperating rotation elements that cause the barrel to rotate relative to the rotatable element, the plunger and the handle as the plunger move longitudinally through the barrel.
 12. The syringe of claim 11, wherein the cooperating rotation elements include: at least one elongate, helically oriented element carried by an interior surface of the barrel; and at least one corresponding feature on the plunger for engaging the at least one elongate, helically oriented element.
 13. The syringe of claim 12, wherein the at least one elongate, helically oriented element comprises a thread protruding from the interior surface of the barrel and the at least one corresponding feature comprises a notch formed in an alignment feature of plunger and configured to receive the thread.
 14. The syringe of claim 13, comprising a pair of elongate, helically oriented threads protruding from the interior surface of the barrel and a pair of notches formed in the alignment feature.
 15. The syringe of claim 1, wherein the rotatable element is configured to: enable the barrel to rotate without substantially moving the handle; and enable the handle to rotate about the barrel without substantially causing the barrel to rotate.
 16. A method for using a syringe, comprising: grasping a handle associated with a rotatable element on a barrel, the rotatable element: enabling rotation of the handle at least partially around a circumference of the barrel; or enabling rotation of the barrel at least partially about its longitudinal axis while the handle remains substantially stationary; securing a device to the barrel; actuating the handle to move a plunger longitudinally through the barrel; and after securing the device to the barrel, and while grasping the handle or actuating the handle, rotating at least one of the barrel and the handle relative to another of the handle and the barrel.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: rotating the handle while a distal end of the device is present within a body of a subject and without causing the barrel or the device to rotate.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein securing comprises securing the device to the barrel as a distal end of the device is present within a body of a subject.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: rotating the barrel without substantially moving the handle.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein actuating the handle comprises forcing aspiration handles together.
 21. The method of claim 16, wherein actuating the handle causes the barrel to rotate.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein: securing the device to the barrel comprises securing a biopsy needle to the barrel; and actuating the handle facilitates: coring of a sample with the biopsy needle; and aspiration of the sample into at least the biopsy needle.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein: securing the device to the barrel comprises securing a catheter to the barrel; and actuating the handle causes: rotation of the catheter about an axis extending along a length of the catheter; and aspiration of a sample into the barrel. 